Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel is the new favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year, taking the lead from his former Duke roommate, Cooper Flagg.
Knueppel is as low as -200 at theScore Bet, which translates to a 66.7% implied chance to win the award.
Key Takeaways
- Knueppel was behind five other players in opening Rookie of the Year odds.
- The rookie is third in made threes per game and ninth in three-point percentage.
- The Hornets are sixth in odds to win the East after missing the playoffs every year since the 2015-16 season.
| Player | FanDuel | DraftKings | Caesars | theScore Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kon Knueppel | -130 | -175 | -185 | -200 |
| Cooper Flagg | +135 | +140 | +155 | +150 |
| VJ Edgecombe | +10000 | +10000 | +12500 | +10000 |
Knueppel was only a +3000 underdog in NBA Rookie of the Year odds on opening night, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Five players were ahead of him in the odds ladder, including Flagg, who was a -225 favorite before he’d even played one second in a professional game.
The shift in odds first took place last Friday, when theScore Bet installed both Knueppel and Flagg -115 odds to win the award. The former had a slightly higher percentage of bets (17.9% to 14.5%) but a significantly lower percentage of the handle backing him (17.1% to 56.3%).
That same day, DraftKings revealed that it had bumped Knueppel to a -125 favorite, taking over the lead from Flagg (-105).
Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg are officially “DUKE-ing” it out in the NBA Rookie of the Year race.
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) February 27, 2026
Today, Knueppel has leapfrogged his former roommate and teammate in the ROY race 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y99vmYF6Ym
As Knueppel continues to grow his lead, Flagg remains sidelined by a left foot injury that has held him out of action since Feb. 10. He is considered doubtful for the Dallas Mavericks’ Tuesday matchup with none other than Knueppel's Hornets.
Although the NBA Rookie of the Year award does not have the same 65-game minimum requirement like other major awards, such as MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Flagg only seems to be losing ground with every passing day.
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Knueppel takes Rookie of the Year lead
Knueppel was the fourth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, behind Flagg, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper, and Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe.
The 20-year-old has already established himself as a historically-efficient shooter and played a major role in the Hornets’ transformation from a moribund franchise to one that is quickly climbing the standings in the Eastern Conference. He also drew high praise from individuals around the league, including two-time MVP and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“You’re probably one of the smartest rookies I’ve ever seen.” 💯
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 17, 2026
Giannis showed love to Milwaukee native Kon Knueppel during NBA All-Star! pic.twitter.com/VV82bgtvsy
With just about 20 games left in the NBA regular season, here’s how Knueppel compares to his fellow rookies competing for the title of first in class.
- Kon Knueppel: 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 48.9% FG, 44.0% 3PT
- Cooper Flagg: 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 48.2% FG, 30.2% 3PT
- VJ Edgecombe: 15.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 43.0% FG, 36.3% 3PT
Anyone with the foresight to bet on Knueppel—assuming he holds onto his lead in Rookie of the Year odds—would’ve won $300 from a $10 bet, or 30 times their investment.
Here’s a look back at the opening odds for NBA Rookie of the Year:
| Player | Odds (BetMGM) |
|---|---|
| Cooper Flagg | -225 |
| Ace Bailey | +850 |
| Tre Johnson | +1000 |
| Dylan Harper | +1000 |
| VJ Edgecombe | +2500 |
| Kon Knueppel | +3000 |
| Derik Queen | +3000 |
| Jeremiah Fears | +3500 |
| Cedric Coward | +3500 |
| Egor Demin | +4000 |
Knueppel and the Hornets futures odds
Knueppel is on pace to become the second Hornets player ever to win the Rookie of the Year trophy. The first was his teammate, LaMelo Ball, who claimed the award for his efforts during the 2020-21 season.
The Hornets currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, three games above the Milwaukee Bucks and the cut-off for the Play-In Tournament. They’re still 3.5 games behind the 76ers, who are sixth in the East and the last team in a guaranteed playoff position.
FanDuel Sportsbook has the Hornets at -700 (87.5% chance) to make the Play-In Tournament. They’re also tied for sixth in odds to win the Eastern Conference at +3500 (2.8% chance).
